Boutique 87 is a living testament to Tropical Modernism, the architectural movement pioneered by Geoffrey Bawa, where spatial fluidity, natural integration, and understated elegance define every element. Here, architecture is not merely a structure but an experience—one that unfolds through light, material, and landscape, each working in quiet harmony.
At the heart of Boutique 87’s design is Bawa’s mastery of proportion and restraint. Expansive whitewashed walls provide a canvas for shifting shadows and dappled light, while polished cement floors and timber details lend a tactile richness to the interiors. Open corridors and deep verandas blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, fostering a sense of permeability—one of Bawa’s key architectural signatures.
Geoffrey Bawa's design philosophy emphasizes the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, often incorporating lush gardens, courtyards, and open-air living areas into his buildings. He blended traditional Sri Lankan architectural elements with modernist principles, creating timeless spaces that are deeply connected to their surroundings.
A signature Bawa technique, where trees are guided in their growth using weighted sandbags, shaping their canopies to mirror the iconic arboreal silhouettes seen at Lunuganga. These towering specimens frame the villa, softening its presence within the landscape.
Serving as the pinnacle of the estate, the water elements extend Bawa’s philosophy of integrating built form with organic topography. These reflective surfaces act as natural cooling elements, while also creating dynamic visual compositions that evolve with the changing light.
Spaces are not designed to be absorbed all at once, but rather revealed gradually. A series of framed perspectives—from a shaded pavilion to a sunlit courtyard, or from a sculptural staircase leading into an open veranda—invite the eye to move fluidly through the villa
A defining feature of the villa, the staircase is sculptural yet unassuming, its clean geometric form lending itself to both movement and stillness. Like many of Bawa’s staircases, it is designed to feel both functional and poetic, a structure that leads not just between levels, but between shifting perspectives.
The villa’s walls, stark yet inviting, reflect Bawa’s preference for pared-back surfaces that emphasize form over ornamentation. The juxtaposition of polished cement, reclaimed timber, and locally quarried stone adds depth to the restrained color palette.
Instead of relying on mechanical cooling, Boutique 87 utilizes passive ventilation techniques, channeling the coastal breeze through latticed openings, perforated walls, and clerestory windows, reducing the need for artificial temperature control.
Stay at Boutique 87 and experience the elegance and tranquility of Geoffrey Bawa's architectural genius. Book your stay today.